For a Lifetime.

Your personal business card is your call to action. For those not familiar with the term, a call to action is an invitation for your reader to make an immediate response. In marketing, a call to action can be “call now” or “find out more” or “visit our store today.”

You can provoke that response from a hiring manager through a well-designed business card that encourages employers to call you, to check out your portfolio and to see how you conduct yourself professionally online.

Even the most qualified candidates get lost in the shuffle. Instead of falling through the cracks, you can easily create a personal business card that gets you noticed. Try these five tips so that yours stand out.

Make It Easy to Read

Can your business card be read from a distance or at a glance? If not, how likely will you be called for a business opportunity?

Your printer will have recommendations on what font sizes and colors to use on your personal business card. But before you go, it helps to know the basics:

Don’t choose a font that’s difficult to read. Good choices are serif fonts like Times New Roman, Palatino, Georgia, Courier, Bookman or Garamond because they are recognizable and easy to read.

Don’t choose a font color that blends in too well with the background color. Grey font on white cardstock is hard to read.

Don’t choose font colors that are difficult to read. Lime green or bright orange is a strain on the eyes.

Before handing out your personal business card, get some feedback. That way, you know your business card is being read as you intended.

Get Social

Think of your personal business card as an invitation to your brand. Your social media accounts are your platform where you can showcase your talents and tell your story. Hiring managers can see your professional behavior online as well as how often you speak up on conversations happening in your industry.

According to this survey, 52% of employers use social media to research job candidates. Shorten their search time by printing your social details. Even if there isn’t a job opportunity, printing your social media handles on your business cards is an opportunity to grow your online following.

Give It Some Room

Hiring managers like to take notes on personal business cards as reminders on why you stand out. But if you don’t leave that space, that hiring manager will likely forget your unique skills or the conversations you had.

Your personal business card stands out when you leave some breathing room. Make sure there is a decent amount of blank space either on the back or the front. Print your personal business cards without a gloss finish so that a pen or pencil can write on it.

Don’t Overload It

It’s tempting to print every way a hiring manager can reach out to you. Instead, be mindful on how an employer would like to contact you. Would they need your home address to set up an interview? Is a fax number really necessary?

Remember, blank space is your friend. A balance of print and space makes your personal business card easy to read and available for jotting down notes.

Your social media accounts are important, but be selective on the ones you list. Which channels best showcase your talents, brand and professionalism? On my personal business cards, I only showcase my Twitter and LinkedIn profiles where I am actively engaged in industry conversation.

Use The Back

Many professionals forget that there are two sides to print on a business card. This becomes handy when you have a lot to say but not enough room to print it. Consider printing a QR code or the link to your portfolio, website or a video that highlights your talents.

It’s still important to leave extra space on the back for hiring manager notes, so use the backside of your business card wisely. The less text you print on the reverse side, the more it stands out.

What do you do to make your personal business card stand out? Share your secret in the comments section below.

Kaitlyn Wightman, ’09

I didn’t know it at the time, but GVSU steered me in the right direction. Not only could I double major in creative writing and English literature, but GVSU also provided the opportunities for me to explore my career options at conferences and through workshops that refined my craft.

After working across the country, I’m now back in Michigan as the Content Marketing Manager at Nutshell in Ann Arbor and blogging at KLWightman.com All I wanted was to write for a living, and because of GVSU, I can.

With the announcement of Apple’s newest iPhone happening just a few weeks ago, we once again get a glimpse of how today’s society is consumed with mobile technology. From news reporters, celebrities, athletes, Fortune 500 CEO’s, no one is excluded from this phenomenon. With every release from each company, technology becomes more and more useful to our personal and professional lives. Along with the release of new mobile devices comes an ever growing dependency individuals have to their “lifelines.” The holidays that were once filled with conversation and laughter are now focused on fantasy football lineups, Candy Crush, and social media trolling. Technology plays a significant role in everyone’s life, which means when the technology goes down, someone needs to be there to fix it. Enter Genius Phone Repair.

Why Are We All So Interested?

Owning my own business in the mobile device repair industry for over six years now has really given me new perspective on the dependency of cell phones and tablets to everyone’s daily lives. We see a wide range of customers, and it’s intriguing to hear a unique story each time. To sales people; every minute with a broken phone is commission money lost. To a student; a broken iPad or tablet could mean being without your textbook or class notes until it’s fixed. To a business owner like myself, it could mean missing a crucial phone call or an emergency occurring at my business.

I often ask myself, “How did people do business without these devices so effectively?” At times I find myself being able to get more done on the road and at home watching football than I do in the office. Information is available at our fingertips twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. It also means that we must decipher what information is valid and what comes from an untrusted source. It’s more important than ever to educate and teach young people the importance of critically thinking and resisting the temptation that is the internet.

Technological Advantages in the Business World

As our small company expanded from a one man show to having seventeen retail locations in two different states, the need to adapt to technological changes became more and more evident. We quickly grew from three employees to twenty five, and in four short years we are now over one hundred and thirty employees. As our company grew, every employee became more and more dependent on the technological resources we have. We changed from servicing customers who were extremely dependent on their mobile devices, to business professionals who were now just as dependent as our customer base. Being able to relate to our customer base on this level really helped us understand where they were coming from, and better service our customers.

As we grow we continue to find different resources that can be used with our tablets, mobile devices, and desktops that allows us to perform more efficiently as a company. For example, our company believes in a collaborative work environment and use Google Apps to achieve several working efficiencies. Multiple users can edit documents and review them from different working environments. Google Hangouts allows us to have executive and management meetings across state lines. Without all of the different technology that we use on a daily basis, it would be very hard for us to continue to grow as fast as we have.

The need to adapt to this evolution of mobile technology is more important today than it has ever been in the past. Embrace it, love it, and get the most out of it that you can. So you might still ask, “Why are we all still so consumed in the latest and greatest”? The simple answer is, it makes more efficient and effective students, employees, and bosses. It’s been great to directly be a part of this phenomenon, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Genius Phone Repair Co-Founders Garry VonMyhr, 2010 (Left), Steven Barnes (Middle), and Jordan Notenbaum, 2010 (Right) at the ribbon cutting for their 5th store opening in 2013. The partners are opening their 17th location later this month in Indianapolis, IN.

Ramsey Gilbertsen, ’09 and his Jamie Gilbertsen, ’09 own two businesses, Fry Nation and Champion Events. The first is a french fry restaurant in RiverTown mall, the second is a mobile retailing business. We’ll be selling the official gear down at Art Prize, for example. These businesses give us the freedom to live life our own way, and we couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

Congratulations! You picked the right major, got good grades, networked, graduated, and settled right into your dream job. Right?

No? That’s not you?

It wasn’t me either. Six months after graduation I was working a low paying job using none of my hard-earned skills, and I know many fellow alums from the class of 2009 that were doing the same. How could this be? The economy was terrible, and jobs were nowhere to be found.

I had to move across the country just for a shot at an internship. After a couple of months, our entire department was herded into the conference room and let go. “Corporate restructuring” they called it. Some people had been there 15-20 years.

I wanted to succeed or fail based on my own efforts, not by the economy or some VP’s budget decision. It was time to stop giving control of my future to other people. It was time to go into business for myself. It’s an option foreveryone, maybe even you!

Why could it be right for you?

Freedom.

Everyone will work 40-plus hours a week. Might as well spend those hours doing something you love. Your imagination is the limit to what kind of business you can start.

Beyond controlling what you do, you have full control over how you do it. Structuring your work week, picking your hours, planning your life. These are all things you are able to manage for yourself.

Opportunity.

If it’s money you’re after, being an entrepreneur is the best way to make it big. In 2013, 68% of the 400 American billionaires were self-made entrepreneurs. Most of the others inherited their wealth from previous generations of self-made entrepreneurs.

If you’re looking to make an impact on your community, business is an excellent tool. Check outHomeboy Industriesfor example. They help former gang members transition back into society. How do they accomplish this? By employing them in their various social enterprises.

Accessibility.

The beauty of business is that anyone can do it. You don’t need a certain GPA or degree to qualify. All you need is an idea and the determination to pull it off.

One thing you don’t need is a lot of money. One of the biggest misconceptions about owning a business is that you need a lot of money to get started. According to US Census data, 40% of small businesses were started with less than $5,000.

If you asked your family and friends for help and are still a little short on funds, look around online. The internet is loaded with options. Business-lending, peer-to-peer lending, and crowdfunding sites have been booming for the past few years. It’s never been easier to raise money for a startup online.

How do I get started?

In a word: Read. The best way to learn the basics of business ownership is to pick up a book about business ownership. And I do mean a book. Internet articles are great, but they will not cover everything. Think of these books as required reading for Entrepreneurship 101.

Start Your Own Businessby Entrepreneur Magazine. This book takes you through the basics of marketing, hiring, accounting, etc. It holds your hand while thoroughly covering all the baby steps from idea conception to opening your doors.

The E-myth Revisitedby Michael E. Gerber. Knowing how to build a product or provide a service is one thing. Running a business that builds products/provides services is a very different thing. This book teaches you the differences and prepares you to make the jump to business ownership.

After you’ve read these two books, keep reading! There’s always more to know. Hopefully, you’ve just learned that business ownership is an option for everyone, including you! Just remember, you can either work on your dreams, or get paid to work on someone else’s. The choice is yours.

Christian Sack, ’07 I was fortunate enough to have essentially grown up with GVSU as a part of me. My dad, an alum has been employed by GVSU for most of his life, my two sisters are both alumni and there was little doubt that GVSU would be a part of my life as a student. GVSU is special to me because it is the perfect balance of large and small which caters to a wide variety of people, which in my opinion is critical to achieve a healthy student body.

Do Not Over Prepare!

The first thing you always should do before an interview is to do research on the particular company you are looking to potential join and prepare in certain instances. Sounds simple enough and it is absolutely the truth. However, a common issue I see with those who over prepare is that the candidate comes almost too rehearsed and canned. As a result, they tend to come in nervous and the conversation tends to be somewhat flat. Research and prepare just enough to have a general idea of the company’s product (if applicable) and industry. By doing so, this allows you to naturally have questions ready for the interview.

Dress Appropriately for the Interview

Before you interview, don’t feel embarrassed to email your recruiter or hiring manager asking about the appropriate dress code. The rule of thumb is to always wear a suit but depending on the culture of the organization, you may be overdressed and awkward if the rest of the team is in jeans.

Overcome Nervousness

The best interviews I have are ones that feel like a conversation. The worst ones are ones that feel one-sided and awkward. Go into the interview and view it is a conversation and introductory meeting, which is easier said than done. Nervousness is natural and I actually like to see that a person is nervous because it means that they truly want to put their best foot forward. The best way to overcome nervousness is to have a question or comment ready to break the ice upon arrival such as a comment about the building, the weather, maybe something in the interviewer’s office that catches your eye and creates a bond to kick things off.

Tell them Why!

So the interview seems to be going well, conversation is flowing, you feel comfortable and excited about the opportunity at hand. Now what? The biggest, most common problem I see with very good candidates is their lack of showing interest in the position because the candidate assumes that I know they are interested. The best way to show this is not to simply say “I want this job because…” but rather tell me why you want to work for my company. I guarantee you that this simple statement will separate you from other candidates because you are looking beyond a day to day “job”. I recently asked a candidate “what about our company interests you and why would you be a good fit here?” and they had no response. They locked up and told me that they felt the job was a good fit for their background. Look beyond the actual job! The better answer would be to tell me that they respect the organization’s stability, culture and growth potential and can see themselves fitting into this role and other roles down the road. Before you step into the interview, ask yourself why XYZ company and be ready to tell them why they should hire you.

Follow Up

This final step is the easiest way to separate you from other candidates. After the interview (even as soon as hours after), email every person you interviewed with a simple thank you for taking time to consider you for the opportunity. This also gives you the opportunity to sell yourself once again with a final “close” to tell them why you would be a great fit in the role and within their company. I phone interview 15-20 candidates per week in my job and I get 1-2 email thank you’s from that pool. To me, even a phone interview warrants a thank you note because 1.) it shows you’re interested and 2.) it keeps your name fresh in my mind. I also always forward the thank you note to the hiring manager to show them you’re on the ball and interested. One final example: we had 15 recent college graduates come on-site to interview with my company earlier this spring for a full-time graduate rotation program. Of the 15 interviews, I got one email back from a candidate and we ended up hiring that person because we knew they were interested and excited for the position. That wasn’t the sole reason we hired that person but it definitely didn’t hurt them.

All in all, I hope this helps give my fellow GVSU alumni some insight on interviewing. HR and Recruiting is a passion of mine and would welcome any graduates to email me (ctsack@hubbell.com) any questions or comments they have regarding what goes on inside the minds of hiring managers and Human Resources.

In 2005, Gerry Cooke B.B.A., ’98 carried a diplomatic letter from President Ford to Mayor Gohee Kawabata in Omihachiman, Japan.

April, 2005: I’m running with my plethora of luggage through the largest train terminal in the world, Tokyo Station, trying to catch a train that is leaving in 12 minutes. Being 6’3” and 250 lbs at the time, I was drawing a lot of attention as the diminutive Japanese scrambled to get out of my way. Suddenly I noticed two Japanese transit police were running alongside of me. They hadn’t tried to detain or even question me, so I stopped, apologized in broken Japanese, showing them my tickets. I made the train, thanks to my police escort.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many great destinations around the world, and here is the best advice I can give any Laker with wanderlust.

You know somebody, who can help: You just haven’t asked them yet. No matter where you want to go in the world, you already know someone that can help you, or better yet lives there, you just haven’t networked with them yet. My absolute best traveling experiences were with locals. Yes, going to Munich Oktoberfest alone is an adventure, but it is much more relaxing when someone else is navigating, explaining, and keeping you out of trouble. Ask everyone you know for a contact at your destination.

Learn some language: It is always easier to get help from the locals, and feel like James Bond, when you can speak some local language. Ask a local language teacher to speak some basic phrases and record them with your phone. Listen and repeat them to yourself. When in doubt, someone on the overseas flight surely speaks the language at your destination and might even give you some travel tips. Some of the best phrases are: where is ______, how much is that, do you speak English, I’m sorry, please, thank you, what is your name, my name is _____, I’ll buy that, and check please. The goal is not fluency but being able to demonstrate to the locals that you respect their culture enough to try to speak their language. When I need help (and someone who speaks English), I look for people in their 20s wearing American clothing.

Gather intel and make a flexible plan: From Rick Steves’ travel series https://www.ricksteves.com/ (my favorite) to apps and books, there is a lot of information about your destination out there. Having a plan of what you want to accomplish each day will save you time and money. Look up museums and theaters online and buy tickets over the internet. This will save you from huge lines and wasted time. Remember, a European vacation is costing you $60-$100 an hour (take the total cost of your trip and divide by the number of hours you will be there) get the most out of your time and money. Plan one to two sites per day max, and have a backup plan for bad weather. This doesn’t mean you have to plan every moment of your vacation, but a good plan pays dividends. I also like to plan a “down day” every 3 days for lounging, shopping, and relaxing. I’m a planner, however my uncle who loves to travel and just “show up” at sites is not. I tried this laissez-faire attitude once while stopping at Stratford-upon-Avon, England, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, only to spend 4 hours looking for a room because there was a marathon in town and everything was booked.

Get a “burner” phone and some cash: Bring your phone for use in the airports, and to take pictures, but I don’t bother with paying the huge cost of using your phone overseas. Single use, disposable phones (called burners in street vernacular) are cheap, available everywhere, and can even be shipped to you before you leave. Having an in-country phone is useful for confirming reservations and emergencies. You can still use your phone/tablet with local WiFi for checking in with loved ones, and planning your next day’s adventure. I buy local currency from my bank before I leave. I like to have cash in pocket before I get on the ground, this saves time and exchange fees. Call your credit card/debit card company before you leave and tell them where you are traveling to, how long you will be there, and if your card will work at your destination. Otherwise they may shut down your card when they see overseas charges.

Travel light: I remember my honeymoon in Venice, my wife and I trying to pull huge roller luggage bags over the arched bridges of the canals. It was hot, hard, terrible work. On our last trip we were down to hiking backpacks, which we carried on the plane. We don’t wait for baggage, and that saves time, especially with customs. Pack mix and match clothes, assume you will buy souvenir clothes in country, and bring some single pack laundry soap for some sink/bathtub laundry at the hotel.

Bypass security and customs at airports: Yes, you can do this. I’ve missed many flights, (especially at Chicago’s O’hare airport) waiting for long security lines. Consider getting a Global Entry Pass http://www.cbp.gov/global-entry/about – for $100 you can get pre-screened and spend the extra time at the airport lounge.

Be friendly but stay a little paranoid: Most people around the world are interested and curious about Americans. They realize that we are not necessarily the embodiment of our government or our pop culture. I smile a lot, joke around, and try to leave people with a good American interaction. Show pictures of your home, hobbies, and family. I do not, however, wear American flags on my clothes, and do not engage in political conversations with people I do not know. Heed any travel warnings from our government and be aware of what’s going on around you. Keep photocopies of your ID, Passport, and a list of phone numbers for family back home, in your bags. Also, email a copy of this info, or keep a Google Doc. that you can access from any internet connection. I wear a money belt in big cities, and always keep my passport with me. I have, when questioned about my nationality by people who made me nervous, claimed I am Canadian, eh! Easy enough for those of us from Michigan.

Consider renting a car and get a GPS: Driving in Europe is pretty easy. A car is cheaper than the train and leaves on your schedule. It also goes places the train doesn’t. You can get a good current GPS with European maps for around $100. Distances in Europe are short compared to the US. You can drive across Germany in about 5 hours. I would not drive in Asia. Your state issued driver’s licence is enough to rent cars in most places in Europe, or, you can get an international driver’s license here: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html

Host and be hosted by families: Absolutely my favorite way to travel. I’ll never forget the deep hearty chuckle and homemade peach tarts made by Mrs. Herrmann from Gunzenhausen, Germany. Gunzenhausen is the sister city of Frankenmuth, Michigan and hosts guests from Michigan often. Grand Rapids Sister Cities introduced me to my host family in Omihachiman, Japan. Great host families know how to give you the space and support to travel. http://grsistercities.org/

Plan a day off at home before you go back to work. You’ll need a day or two to unpack, do laundry, check in with family, and tell tales of your adventures. The worst thing I’ve done is tried to work after a 13 hour flight home.

For myself, travel has been the most rewarding and educational experience of my life. I wish I would have taken advantage of GVSU’s study abroad programs. Travel never gets any easier, I never seem to have more time/freedom than I do in this moment. Don’t wait till “everything is right” to take your dream trip, or you’ll never go. Be bold, book a plane ticket, the rest will work itself out.

Gerry Cooke B.B.A. ‘98 is Citizen Diplomat for Grand Rapids Sister Cities, a member of the Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids (edelweissclubgr.com), an Adjunct Professor for GVSU, and a Customer Development Specialist at Gordon Food Service. Get in touch with Gerry: gerrycooke@gmail.com.

Few people are as sensitive to seasonal change as we are here in Michigan. It sometimes feels as though we could endure both the polar vortex and those scorching hot summer days all in the same week. Nevertheless, we’re accustomed to change regardless of whether we’re prepared for it or not.

Similarly, as an early to middle stage twenty-something, our seasons of life can – and often do – change just as abruptly as the change in our Michigan weather.

As graduation from high school opens the door to the new and exciting world of “The College Experience”, graduation from college brings forth new challenges, a new working environment, and new responsibilities – the only difference is that graduation into the working world does not come with a Freshman Transitions leader.

College graduation is a beautiful thing. Finally, after being locked down for the past 4-5 years, it is time to take the skills and relationships you’ve built and put them to work crafting a future that is both successful and community oriented. Everyone that graduates from Grand Valley State University has the capacity to strive for personal success while also making an impact on their community. No matter what your industry is, your geographical location may be, or your social status, it is always important to remember the value of we versus me.

But enough listening to me preach about things you already know. What I really want to do is dive into the five lessons I’ve learned to help college graduates transition into “Corporate America”.

The Top 5

Treat Every Day Like Your First

It’s easy to get complacent in any environment, especially if you’ve been in that same environment for several years. Why do you think senioritis exists? In the working world there is no such thing as senioritis. In order to be the best at what you do and to continue to perform at the highest level for your company, treat every day as if it’s your first. Never stop learning, always ask questions, and remember that there is always someone waiting in line for your position.

Learn the Dress Code

More likely than not, any professional career choice is going to have a dress code other than sweatpants and leggings. Sweats are cozy and they’re how students have been working and doing school for years, but making the adjustment to wardrobe that is workplace appropriate can be a challenge. Take time to learn how to dress appropriately and still feel as cozy as the living room sofa.

Conquer “The Age Gap”

For several years, before graduation, students are surrounded by hundreds, even thousands, of young twenty-something’s who are at similar stages in life. Some are in committed relationships, others are far from it, but for the most part all are experiencing life at the same pace. In the workplace, this may or may not be the case. Depending on the industry and type of job, it’s possible to be the youngest employee by close to a decade.

But it’s okay! With a dedicated, professional attitude it is possible to conquer the “Age Gap” and earn the respect of fellow professionals.

Never, Ever, Ever Burn Bridges

We’ve all heard the saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

While this is still a pretty important approach to networking, I would argue the most important approach is considering who knows you? The reality to this question is that the answer is everyone!

In the workplace, building a reputation as reliable, knowledgeable, and hardworking, you can pave your way to a successful career.

Now, it is unrealistic to expect that anyone and everyone you meet will be your best friend, but it is important to distinguish between a friendship and a working relationship. You never know which connections made, both inside and outside of your organization, could turn out to be the gatekeeper for the next step in your career.

This is why I always say, never burn a bridge you cannot repair!

It’s Okay to Move On

A career is often a product of several different job titles coupled with life experiences that enable us to combine 1) our skills with 2) our interests and 3) our passions.

This is different from a job.

Graduation from college opens a door to a whole new beginning. The days of working for the same company for 40+ years have come and gone, so it is important to keep long term goals in mind at all times. It is okay to move on from one job opportunity to the next in order to meet your personal career goals.

My name is Chasten Young and I have studied international business and management and I have a minor in Spanish. In my time here at Grand Valley, I have joined several clubs, donated countless hours to community service and philanthropy, and have honestly tried to leave my mark in some way here on campus. As I am quickly approaching that point of graduation, I can’t help but constantly reflect on my overall college experience.

It’s such a harmless question: ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ You always innocently think about being a doctor, lawyer, or a firefighter. Based off of those innocent answers that I gave as a kid, I never thought that I would be where I am today. The day every college student subconsciously knows is coming – the day where you leave everything you’ve known for the past four years behind and transition into that thing we call ‘adulthood’. Even though we subconsciously know it’s coming, we’re never prepared for it. How exciting, bittersweet, and amazing it feels to finally be done with something that I have worked so hard for.

I have noticed myself already becoming alum of Grand Valley in numerous ways. For some reason, no matter how many years younger a student may be, I find myself lecturing them on all the different things that I didn’t do in college, and I find myself doing this quite often. In the event that a student may be reading this, I’ll summarize my advice up.

Join as many clubs as you can – diverse ones, as well as ones that interest you

Introduce yourself, go to office hours, make sure your professors know who you are

Don’t pay so much money to not pass

Go with the flow, try new things, don’t be afraid to ask for help

Study abroad!

Volunteer – community service and philanthropy

But most importantly, have fun. College is much more than studying and grades – it’s about discovering who you are as a person.

As I am from Delaware, I never knew the impact that Grand Valley would have on me. I have grown so much as a person, and I truly believe in the idea of paying it forward. Just as Grand Valley has given to me, I will continue to give back to it. The idea of Laker for a Lifetime is an idea that I will carry with me wherever I go. With no intention of even attending college in Michigan, it’s quite ironic how four years later, here I am. I am currently enrolled as an MBA student here at Grand Valley in Seidman College of Business’s FIMBA program. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks interviewing with local companies in the Grand Rapids area as in accordance to my MBA program. I’m here in Grand Rapids to stay! Hopefully as a young professional in the Grand Rapids area, there will be several opportunities for me to give back not only to my Grand Rapids community, but my Laker family as well.